Memorial of the first martyrs of the Roman Church during persecution of Nero.

Reading of the Word of God

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

The Spirit of the Lord is upon you.
The child you shall bear will be holy.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Amos 3,1-8.11-12

Listen, Israelites, to this prophecy which Yahweh pronounces against you, against the whole family which I brought up from Egypt: You alone have I intimately known of all the families of earth, that is why I shall punish you for all your wrong-doings. Do two people travel together unless they have agreed to do so? Does the lion roar in the forest if it has no prey? Does the young lion growl in his lair if it has caught nothing? Does a bird fall on the ground in a net unless a trap has been set for it? Will the net spring up from the ground without catching something? Does the trumpet sound in the city without the people being alarmed? Does misfortune come to a city if Yahweh has not caused it? No indeed, Lord Yahweh does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. The lion roars: who is not afraid? Lord Yahweh has spoken: who will not prophesy? This is why -- Lord Yahweh says this- an enemy will soon besiege the land, he will bring down your strength and your palaces will be looted. Yahweh says this: As the shepherd rescues two legs or the tip of an ear from the lion's mouth, so will the children of Israel be salvaged who now loll in Samaria in the corners of their beds, on their divans of Damascus.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Look down, O Lord, on your servants.
Be it unto us according to your word.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

The theme of the election of the people by God is central in the prophetic preaching, as well as throughout all Christian preaching. God is at the origin of salvation for his people and for all the peoples of the earth. Through seven examples the prophet helps to read history the people have lived and the signs that were shown to them in depth. The Word of God, likened to a lion's roar, is like a spiritual strength that comes with unstoppable force, inevitably causing the effect for which it was sent. God's choice for His people is to give them a mission, namely, to proclaim His Word to the ends of the earth. Therefore it is not a closed alliance, on the contrary it is for all nations, as the prophets will say several times. By sending Jesus this universal perspective reaches its clearest climax. God has chosen Jesus, without revoking his choice for the people of Israel, so that we welcome His word and become its proclaimers and witnesses everywhere in the world. This word - God's, not ours - because of its task, has an irresistible power that overcomes even the limits of believers. If God has spoken, says Amos, who can but prophesy? When God speaks, if we listen, we cannot but be prophets in this world. Amos' final words call us to a new responsibility: "Because I will do this to you, prepare to meet your God."